'Ongoing discussions' led to VicRoads headquarters' big Ballarat move

THE state government had “ongoing discussions” with Ballarat City Council about relocating the VicRoads headquarters adjacent to the Civic Hall.

If the state government pre-election promise eventuates, the new VicRoads building could be one of the tallest in Ballarat.

Yesterday, a state government spokesperson said there had been ongoing discussions between the government and the council in relation to the multi-storey VicRoads building, which would house 400 staff relocating from Melbourne.

“We have been engaged in ongoing discussions with the council for some time. They see it as a great opportunity for the site and for Ballarat more generally,” the spokesperson said.

The state government did not directly respond to The Courier’s question about how long it had been in touch with the council regarding the potential development of the site.

“There will be an expression of interest (EOI) process, and we expect the building to be at least five or six storeys,” the spokesperson said.

If elected, the state government said it would take two-and-a-half years to construct the building and relocate staff.

Last nigh the council held a behind closed doors meeting to discuss the implications of the state government’s announcement in relation to a potential redevelopment of the Civic Hall site.

Council chief executive Anthony Schinck said a budget planning meeting had already been scheduled for last night, but councillors indicated a preference to discuss the future of the Civic Hall site in the meeting.

“Council will be considering how the project can move forward between now and the election,” Mr Schinck said.

Yesterday afternoon Mr Schinck said mayor Joshua Morris would provide further information to the community today in relation to how the council intends to move forward on the project.

When The Courier tried to contact Cr Morris after the scheduled budget planning meeting last night, he did not return our calls.